Posted By Jim Armstrong On March 20, 2010 @ 2:50 pm In General Rockies,Spring Training | No Comments

TUCSON — Finally, some good news coming out of the Rockies bullpen.

Setup man Rafael Betancourt, sidelined throughout the Cactus League season with inflammation in his right shoulder, pronounced himself fit for opening day after a 26-pitch outing vs. minor leaguers from the Rockies and Diamondbacks organization.

That’s two weeks, as in two weeks to get ready for the Rockies’ April 5 opening day matchup with the Brewers at Milwaukee. Betancourt figures to make a handful of Cactus League appearances between now and then, starting Tuesday against the Padres at Hi Corbett Field.

The plan, assuming Betancourt has no setbacks, is for him to pitch again Friday vs. Cleveland and Sunday against Oakland. If he has no issues, he would try to pitch on back-to-back days, a virtual prerequisite to pitching in the regular season, during the final week of spring training.

Rockies officials were nothing short of ecstatic after watching Betancourt throw 10 pitches vs. High Class A minor leaguers from the Arizona organization. His fastball varied from 88 to 92 mph, which is typical, and he was able to mix in two changeups and a handful of sliders.

“I liked every bit of it,” said Rockies trainer Keith Dugger. “He wasn’t laboring. His velocity was actually better than I thought it would be.”